PSL 2018: Five Pakistani players who will be hoping to get back into international contention

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The Pakistan Super League (PSL 2018) is all set to begin on 22nd February. Along with the fans, it is the cricketers who will be having high expectations on the league with the final few matches to be played within Pakistan itself, a spectacle to say the least. There is a grand opening ceremony that is planned for this season, adding fuel to what is itself expected to be somewhat of a revelation this time around as well.

The tagline for the event, ‘Dil Se Jaan Laga de’ meaning ‘Put your heart and soul into it’ is exactly what the cricketers will be hoping to do. Many cricketers will be eyeing the PSL as a wonderful opportunity to make a comeback into international cricket after being left in the cold by the Pakistan cricket board selectors.

Here is the list of cricketers who will be eyeing a comeback through PSL:1. Yasir Shah

Yasir Shah quickly ascended up the ranks which his impressive performances. Also, he is the fifth fastest bowler in the history of Test cricket to get to 100 wickets. Yasir is known for his brilliant flippers and googlies that sometimes fox the best of batsmen. The 31-year-old picked 165 wickets in just his 28 Test match career so far and has been fantastic for his side in Test matches in particular thus far.

Although Shah made his first-class debut in 2002, he had to wait for nine long years to play international cricket. However, he was out of the reckoning just after playing three matches. But, the recall, came again in 2014 at a time of crisis for Pakistan when Saeed Ajmal was banned for an illegal action. Since then, there was no looking back for this man and became a vital cog in the Pakistan line-up. He hasn’t been as impressive in the recent times and last played a Test match in October 2017. He will look at PSL as a great opportunity to get back to the international fold.

2. Junaid Khan
Pakistani fast bowler Junaid Khan took 10 3 wicket hauls in the period mentioned above. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The 28-year-old left arm fast bowler was one of those crucial members of the Pakistan bowling line-up. At U-19 level Junaid Khan was among of a crop of the most promising young fast bowlers in recent years, alongside Mohammad Amir. Junaid made into the 2011 World Cup squad for Pakistan as a late replacement to Sohail Tanvir. He primarily struggled with fitness in the early stages of his career and overcoming these shortages saw him evolve into a vital cog.

Junaid has a vast first-class experience and picked loads of wickets at this level. He showed his class just in his second Test by picking a five-wicket haul. However, his form has always been flickering resulting in picking and dropping from the national team. He represented Pakistan in 22 Tests and picked 71 wickets. He will want to make him spot in the national team permanent with some impressive performances in PSL this year.

3. Umar Akmal
Umar Akmal. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Inconsistency- The first word one would associate with Umar Akmal. Umar Akmal burst onto the international scene oozing class and drawing the highest praise from experts. In his first Test innings, against New Zealand against an attack which included Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori, the 19-year-old Umar scored 129 in an innings when no other specialist batsman touched 30. However, he failed to utilize his talent completely and last played an international game for Pakistan in January 2017.

Although he has a wonderful start to his career, he soon faltered with his form resulting in dropping from the team. Even though he has plenty of time to get his career back on track, he should make a statement with the bat to be on the team. He was retained by the Lahore Qalandars this year and they will want him to fire providing the team some good chances in the tournament.

4. Wahab Riaz
Wahab Riaz. (Photo by Harry Trump – IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
The first scenes that an Indian fan would recall when they hear Wahab Riaz is his spell in 2011 World Cup semifinals. He bowled a magical spell in that game picking a five-wicket haul and putting the Indian fans under some serious pressure. Another spell that would be inked in the cricketing books forever is a fiery spell that he bowled to Shane Watson in Australia. He was at the top of his game and troubled Watson with pace and aggression.

Although he has the pace to trouble the best he hasn’t always combined it with consistency. His economy rate is always on the higher side even though he tends to pick wickets regularly. Peshawar Zalmi retained Wahab Riaz and will wish that he is consistent with the ball this season. Wahab will have to size down on his economy rate and should bowl inconsistent areas to be back in the reckoning for the national side.

5. Kamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal celebrates his double hundred. (Photo Source: Twitter)
The 36-year-old is a highly promising batsman and allures everyone with his beautiful drives. The purity of his cuts and pulls make him one of the promising person with the bat in hand. However, his glovework is always on the downside and is a major reason for him being axed. Although he started off as a promising wicketkeeper, he let his side down on many occasions. His form deteriorated alarmingly and few Pakistan matches are incomplete without a clumsy Akmal error. He is quite an experienced campaigner and represented the national team in 53 Tests and 157 ODIs.

In a string of error-ridden performances, the one nobody will forget will be the four dropped catches (and a missed run-out) in the Sydney Test of 2009-10, which allowed Australia to escape with a remarkable, traumatic win. The tryst with controversy does his cause no good, with his refusal to accept his demotion in the line-up and was subjected to disciplinary action by the PCB. Although his chances of a comeback at this age are very bleak, he will still hope to turn it around with his performances in PSL. He will also play for Peshawar Zalmi alongside Wahab Riaz. He was retained for this season by the franchise.

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